The CBS board is reportedly meeting today to discuss CEO Les Moonves' fate, after 6 women accused him of sexual misconduct in a bombshell New Yorker report
- The CBS board will reportedly meet Monday to discuss the fate of CEO and chairman Les Moonves.
- Moonves was accused of sexual misconduct by six women in a New Yorker report on Friday.
- Some female CBS executives and personalities have spoken in support of Moonves, but Hollywood has been largely silent about the story.
The CBS board of directors will reportedly meet on Monday to discuss CEO and chairman Les Moonves' fate, after six women accused him of sexual misconduct in an extensive New Yorker report published Friday.
The women told investigative journalist Ronan Farrow - who was also behind the New Yorker report that helped uncover decades of sexual misconduct allegations against Harvey Weinstein - that Moonves had forcibly touched or kissed them and negatively influenced their careers when they rejected his advances. Moonves denied the allegations.
One of the accusers, actress and writer Illeana Douglas, alleged that Moonves pinned her down and kissed her during a business meeting in 1997. When she struggled during rehearsals the following week, she said that Moonves called her to scold her, and she was later fired from the TV show. In a statement, CBS told The New Yorker that Moonves admitted he tried to kiss Douglas, but "denies any characterization of 'sexual assault,' intimidation, or retaliatory action."
According to The Wall Street Journal, over the weekend members of the CBS board discussed Moonves' future at the company and whether he should step away during its investigation into the allegations, which will be conducted by a law firm selected by a special committee. The WSJ said that board members differed in opinion on whether Moonves should step aside.
During its meeting on Monday, the board will finalize details of the investigation, according to The New York Times, including how it should proceed and the scope of the investigation. CNN reported that the meeting will take place at 9 a.m. PT on Monday, and that the investigation "could take weeks" as it looks into allegations against Moonves, "60 Minutes" executive producer Jeff Fager, and the overall culture at CBS.
Many Hollywood heavyweights who have previously been outspoken in support of the #MeToo movement have not commented on the Moonves story. This is markedly different from other #MeToo allegations that have come to light, which have often garnered immediate and vocal support from Hollywood stars.
Since the allegations broke, some female CBS executives and personalities have come to Moonves' defense, including his wife, Julie Chen, who tweeted Friday, "Leslie is a good man and loving father, devoted husband and inspiring corporate leader. He has always been a kind, decent, and moral human being. I fully support my husband and stand behind him and his statement."
Programming executive Angelia McDaniel tweeted her support on Friday, saying that her relationship with Moonves has been "one of respect and support, in an environment where talent and hard work rise to the top. Statements about a culture of repression and subjugation of women have never been brought to bear on myself or my department in my eight years as a top executive at CBS."
CBS advertising revenue chief Jo Ann Ross also tweeted, "I fully support Leslie Moonves and his statement. My experience with him on a professional and personal basis has never had any hint of the behavior this story refers to."
Sharon Osbourne, who co-hosts CBS talk show "The Talk," tweeted, "I hope people don't rush to judgement and let @CBS conduct their investigation. Sending my love and support to my friends @JulieChen and Leslie Moonves."
Lynda Carter, who starred as the title character on the 1970s "Wonder Woman" TV show that aired on CBS, tweeted "Les Moonves is a close friend. I've known him for 40 years. He is a kind, decent and honorable man. I believe him and I believe in him."
But others have been more measured in their comments.
Chuck Lorre, creator of CBS sitcoms such as "The Big Bang Theory," "Young Sheldon," and "Two and a Half Men," declined to comment on the allegations against Moonves during a Television Critics Association panel on Sunday, but instead commented on the importance of a safe work environment.
"I've been in some unsafe environments in television and you can read about them," he said. "You can't do good work in an unsafe environment, and it had to be made safe for everyone. Why would anyone want to go to work in an environment that's not nurturing? You certainly can't do comedy if you're frightened, and you certainly can't do good work if the environment doesn't support you and look after your best interests."
Moonves generally denied the allegations, and said in a statement to New Yorker:
"Throughout my time at CBS, we have promoted a culture of respect and opportunity for all employees, and have consistently found success elevating women to top executive positions across our company. I recognize that there were times decades ago when I may have made some women uncomfortable by making advances. Those were mistakes, and I regret them immensely. But I always understood and respected - and abided by the principle - that 'no' means 'no,' and I have never misused my position to harm or hinder anyone's career. This is a time when we all are appropriately focused on how we help improve our society, and we at CBS are committed to being part of the solution."